Venetian blind



Sem. 6, w49. l C, ADLER 2,480,992

VENETIAN BLIND Filed Aug. 6, 1945 IN VEN TOR. C f-mel. es 0L Ela -Wwe,

Heter/7e] Patented Sept. 6, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE VENETIAN BLIND Charles Adler, Cincinnati, Ohio Application August 6, 1945, Serial No. 609,069

5 Claims. i

This invention relates to improvements in Venetian blinds and particularly to improvements in appurtenances therefore.

Venetian blinds, per se, are quite old but difiiculty has been experienced in properly cleaning the so-called slats of the blind and in changing or substituting the slats supporting means generally referred to as tapes and referred to in the trade as ladder tapes. By this invention the foregoing difculties are obviated resulting in a mechanism more conveniently operated and taken care of.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide in a Venetian blind improved means for .changing the supporting tapes.

It is also an object of this invention to provide means whereby the surfaces of the Venetian blind slats may be more expeditiously cleaned.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a tape or particularly a ladder tape that can be removed from the blind and placed thereon without completely disassembling the same, that is, removing it from its support, removing the ropes that effect the raising and lowering of the slats, or otherwise dismantling the blind.

It is also an object of this invention to provide means for retaining the blind slats in their proper and relative positions during the cleaning thereof while permitting the removal of the tapes so that they do not interfere with the slats cleaning and whereby new or renovated tapes may be substituted for those removed.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specication considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings form ing a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described, within the scope of the appended claims, with.- out departing from or exceeding the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a Venetian blind embodying the improvements of this ina plane to the right of that of Fig. 2 on line 3 3 of Fig. l.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the improved ladder tape of this invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the means which retain the slats in their proper and relative position during the cleaning thereof and the substitution of supporting tape.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the blind as seen from line 6 6 on Fig. l.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 1 1 on Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 8 8 on Fig. l.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 9 9 on Fig. l.

Throughout the several views of the drawing similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The Venetian blind of this invention comprises, as usual, a head board `Ii! secured by brackets II and I2 in the opening of a window, door, or the like, and which opening is indicated by framing I3.

Connected to the head board I!) is .the tilt board Ill mounted in place by suitable brackets i5 and I6 depending from the head board iii. The brackets I5 and i6 connect the tilt board in such manner that it may be oscillated about, substantially, its longitudinal axis through a suitable tilting mechanism indicated in general by the reference numeral Il. Ropes or other ilexible members I8 are employed for actuating the tilt mechanism I'I and thereby tilting or oscillating the tilt board I4 all as is usual practice.

Spaced below the tilt board I4 are the slats i9 the number of which depends upon the area to be covered thereby and the width of the individual slats since fewer slats would be required if the individual slats were wider than would be necessary with narrower individual slats. Below the lowermost slat I9 is a rail 2U and the rail is considerably heavier than the slats so that weight -is given to the blind as a whole for the purpose of extending the slats for the length of the opening. The individual slats and rail 29 are held in spaced-apart relation from and below the tilt board I4 by flexible members or tapes 2l and 22. These tapes 2l and 22 have their upper ends secured to the tilt board |13 and their lower ends secured to the board rail 2S. As is Well known the tapes 2| and 22 have a length on each side of the blind and are connected to `one another by crossing members simulating the steps of a ladder wherefore the trade name or designation ladder tape. In order to remove the slats from the opening, that is completely un.- cover the opening, the various slats are adapted to be brought :into surface contact with one another, with the upper surface of each Slat contact with the lower surface of the next slat there above and with the upper surface of the bottom rail 2D engaging the lower surface of the lowermost slat. In order to do this use is made of a rope or ropes which extend longitudinally of the tilt board I4 on its upper surface or preferably within a channel 23 let into the upper surface of the tilt board and which rope or ropes 24 and 25 respectively pass between the front and the back layers of tapes 22 and 2|. The ropes 24 and 25 pass beyond one end of the tilt board I4 to the inside of the Venetian blind and depend to a point within reach of the operator and the said ropes are frequently joined as indicated at 26 wherefore they are actuated together to raise and lower both sides of the Venetian blind slats equally and simultaneously.

Each of the slats I9 is provided with a transverse elongated aperture 2l shown in phantom lines in Fig. 4 wherefore the said slats may be tilted or oscillated about their longitudinal axes without binding on the ropes which pass therethrough. In the past the transverse members or ladder steps alternated one on each side of the rope wherefore the rope had to be threaded A that of Venetian blinds as heretofore employed together with its attendant objections which by the present invention has been eliminated.

Since each of the tapes 2| and 22 are substantially identical it is deemed sufficient that a dis-- closure of one will suice for the other. ingly, tape 2|, for example as illustrated in Figs. 4, 6, 7 and 8, comprises a tape length 28 adapted to extend along the outer side of the Venetian blind as viewed from the operators side thereof and a second length of tape 29 along the inner side of said line. The said tapes 28 and 29 are secured to one another by transverse members or ladder steps 3|) having one end 3| secured to the tape 28 as for example by steps 32 and the transverse member 30 has its other end 33 secured to the tape length 29 by any suitable means such for example as steps 34. This connection of the ends 3| and 33 with the tapes 28 and 29 may take any other form such, for example, as

that referred to in the trade as loose thread. f

The distinction of the present ladder tape from those heretofore employed is that the transverse members or ladder steps 39 are substantially all on one side or along the same opposite edges of the tape lengths 28 and 29 instead of the said transverse members alternating as they ascend or descend the length of said tape lengths 2S and 29.

At relatively widely spaced intervals the other sides or edges of the tape lengths 28 and 29 are connected by transverse members 35. As shown in Fig. 1 use is made of but three of said transverse members as against twentyefour transverse members 39. The transverse members 35 each have one end 36 permanently secured to one of the tapes 29 in a manner similar to the securing of each end of the transverse members 30, for example by stitches 3l, or any other suitable or desirable means. The other end 38 of the transverse member 35 is only removably secured to the tape length 28 and any suitable or desirable means for accomplishing this may be employed. As shown in Fig. 8, the means illustrated in the drawings is in the form of a dress snap fastener including the male member 39 perma nently secured to the tape 29 and the female Accordmember 40 carried by the end 38 of the transverse member or ladder step 35.

From the foregoing it will be seen that by unsnapping one of the ends of each of the few transverse members 35 from the tape 29 the tape unit 2| may be slid off the ends of the individual slats I9.

In order to do this it is necessary that the slats I9 be held in spaced-apart relation to one another and in substantially the same relation that they maintain relative to the opening with which they are employed. This is accomplished by the use of a relatively rigid member such as a stick or bar 4I having projecting from one face thereof a plurality of pins, pegs, or fingers 42 spaced from one another longitudinally of the bar the same distance that the slats I9 are spaced. Each of the members 42 is provided at its free end with a head or flange 43 for a purpose later to be made clear. The bar 4I is adapted to be hung from a xed position of the Venetian blind for example the head board IU. For this purpose the bar 4I is provided with an aperture 44 through which extends the shank 45 of a hook 49. The shank 45, as seen in Fig. 3, is of considerable length to extend beyond the Venetian blind and particularly the head board I9.

In practice the hook 46 of the bar support bracket is engaged with the rear edge of the head board II) and the bar 4I arranged adjacent the inner edge of the slats I9 when they are in their horizontal position. This causes the pins, ngers or the like 42 to be respectively disposed one beneath each of the slats I9 with their heads 43 engaging the outer edge of their respective slats. The rope clamp 41 is released, in fact it is generally not in engagement when the Venetian blind is fully extended, whereupon the bar 4I is shifted from its solid line position to the phantom line position in Fig. 3. To determine the latter position of the bar 4I the supporting bracket shank 45 is provided with a head 48 on its free end. The shifting of the bar 4I to the phantom line position, indicated in the drawing by the reference numeral 49, brings the slats inwardly of the opening and particularly its frame I3 wherefore the tape unit 2| may be removed.

The upper end of the tape unit 2| is normally securely attached to the tilt board I4 but to permit its ready displacement from the Venetian blind it must be removably attached and which attachment may be effected in any suitable or desirable manner. One means for permitting the ready detachment of the tapes 23 and 29 from the tilt board I4 may consist in furcating the upper ends of each of the tapes 28 and 29 thereby providing ngers 50 and 5| on the tape 28 and similar lingers 52 and 53 on the tape 29. The fingers have their inner surfaces spaced from one another to permit the raising and lowering ropes 24 and 25 to pass there between. Each of the ngers of each tape is provided with an aperture preferably reinforced as by a metal ring 54 each adapted to be mounted on the shank 55 of an upstanding peg or the like carried by the tilt board I4.

The lower ends of the tapes 23 and 29 likewise must be readily removable from the board rail 29 and any suitable or desirable means may be provided for this purpose such for example as illustrated in Fig. 9 which comprises a clip 5S having spring arms 5l and 58 at its ends respectively receivable in a socket 59 and 69 in the face edge of the board rail 29. l

It is believed that the operation of the device E of this invention is obvious from the foregoing description but brieyis as follows:

The support bar 4I is suspended from a permanently mounted part of the Venetian blind such as the head board I0, with its ngers, pegs, or the like d2 beneath their respective slats whereupon the support bar il and slats le are shifted to the position Where they may be readily accessible. The release of the rope clamp t1 permits this shifting of the slats I9 relative to the tilt bar. The fingers 50 to 53 are novv released or were released previous to the outward shifting of the bar lll and the clips 50 are likewise now removed thereby freeing the tape unit from the tilt bar I4 and bottom rail 20. The snap fastener or other releasable means of the several transverse members 35 are now opened whereupon the tape unit is removable endwise of the slats i9.

The slats, particularly at one side of the opening, may novv be cleaned Without interference by the tape unit and thereafter the tape unit replaced or substituted. In order to reposition a tape unit the reverse procedure from that above described is followed whereupon the bar 4i is i removed from the blind or shifted to the other side thereof for replacing the unit 22.

It will be understood that if desired two support bars 4| may be employed, both tape units 2| and 22 replaced without shifting or otherwise moving the first bar 4I.

From the foregoing it Will now be appreciated that there has been provided an improved Venetian blind and particularly appurtenances therefore which accomplish the objects initially set forth.

What is claimed is:

1. A device of the class described for maintaining the slats of a Venetian blind in spaced parallel planes comprising a rigid member of a length equal to that of the Venetian blind when extended, a plurality of ngers projecting from the rigid member, one for each slat and adapted to underlie its slat, and an abutment at the end of each finger to prevent inadvertent separation of the fingers and their slats.

2. A device of the class described for maintaining the slats of a Venetian blind in spaced parallel planes comprising a rigid member of a length equal to that of the Venetian blind when extended, a plurality of iingers projecting from the rigid member, one for each slat and adapted to underlie its Slat, and an abutment at the end of each finger to prevent inadvertent separation of the fingers and their slats, and means for movably mounting the rigid member for movement in the direction of extent of the axis of its ngers to correspondingly move said ngers and slats supported thereby.

3. A device of the class described for maintaining the slats of a Venetian blind in spaced parallel planes comprising a member of a length equal to that of the Venetian blind when extended, a plurality of fingers projecting from the member, one for each slat and adapted to underlie its slat and support it in position and means other than said ngers to support said member.

4. A device of the class described for maintaining the slats or" a Venetian blind in spaced parallel planes comprising a solid member of a length equal to that of the Venetian blind when extended, a plurality of ngers inserted into and projecting from the member, one for each slat and adapted to underlie its slat, and an abutment at the end of each finger to prevent inadvertent separation of the lingers and their slats.

5. A device of the class described for maintaining the slats of a Venetian blind in spaced parallel planes comprising a rigid solid member of a length equal to that of the Venetian blind when extended, a plurality of fingers inserted into and projecting from the member, one for each Slat and adapted to underlie its slat.

CHARLES ADLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,353,287 Stein Sept. 21, 1920 1,361,739 Matheson Dec. 7, 1920 1,842,512 Elmenthaler Jan. 26, 1932 2,043,501 Wood June 9, 1936 2,111,978 Lawson et al Mar. 22, 1938 2,153,893 Johanson Apr. l1, 1939 2,156,150 French Apr. 25, 1989 2,258,647 Haase Oct. 14, 1941 

